things to do in nyc (aka things i did on my recent trip to nyc other than eat....)

(New York, New York).  I've been to New York many many times so I don't usually do a lot of touristy things when I visit now - other than eating, which is always top of the list, but will be addressed in other posts.  In this post, I want to focus on the activities I enjoyed on a recent trip in the spring.

First - I always try to spend some time to stroll through Central Park.  It's vast, beautiful and offers a wonderful sanctuary in the middle of the bustling city.  Even if there are crowds of people, I find it serene as I walk through aimlessly, discovering new sights each time.  This time I found a quiet bench to people-watch while listening to music.  

Afterwards, I walked towards Rockefeller Center and while there are always new restaurants and shops or installations there, I somehow always find my way to La Maison du Chocolat to have a nice treat.  I had some tea and chocolates at the coffee counter - but the servers were sweet and kept giving me "extras".

things to do in downtown las vegas

Downtown Las Vegas.

Most people who visit Las Vegas tend to visit the Strip, the home of high rise hotels and casinos, and pricey restaurants and shopping. But, there is a cheaper option to the Strip: downtown Las Vegas. Downtown has been getting a little bit of revitalization. It's still not as flashy as the Strip but it has its charms.

If you ever find yourself in downtown, these are my suggestions (other than gambling):

getting to know the usa: new orleans

Fleur de lys, a New Orleans symbol.

During my last visit to New Orleans last month, Mr. Sazy Rock introduced me to a local chef and his wife who taught me the proper way of saying "New Orleans." They said it is not pronounced "N'AW-lins" or "New Or-LEENS." Instead, it is pronounced, "New OR-Lens." Whichever you say it (including "NOLA," the acronym for New Orleans, Louisiana), I suspect you will have a great time there.

I have been visiting New Orleans since 2000, when I attended my first JazzFest. I fell in love with the music, the booze and the food. So, I kept coming back. During the aughties, for half that decade, I blocked off my late April or early May for a trip to NOLA. 

This decade, I started going to Tales of the Cocktail, where many of the world's best bartenders and spirit makers converge in the city to learn about cocktail making and, of course, imbibe. I have never seen so many men with facial hair wearing button down shirts with the long sleeves folded just above the elbow to display an armful of tattoos, pants supported by suspenders and heads covered by fedoras. 

This year, I decided to visit New Orleans outside of these events. And, let me tell you, I still had a blast. This recent visit just proved to me that no matter what time of year I visit, New Orleans rocks!

Despite having visited New Orleans many times, I am still getting to know it. Each visit has given me new insights to this beautiful and dynamic city. So, what have I learned so far in getting to know New Orleans?

things to do in downtown los angeles

Olvera Street.

For the longest time, downtown Los Angeles was a place no one wanted to be in when office workers went home. Recent developments, however, have revitalized downtown. Now, there are plenty of stuff to do day and night.

In fact, I have spent a few staycations being a tourist in downtown. I found the experience very illuminating and fun. So, if you are visiting downtown, fret not. There are plenty of stuff for you to do. These are my recommendations if you decide to visit:

getting to know the usa: philadelphia, pennsylvania

The Liberty Bell and
Independence Hall in the background.

There were so many wonderful things I did in the process of getting to know Philly. I learned a ton of history (it was a former capital of the US, after all), gawked at plenty of amazing art, and gorged on a lot of delicious food. I really enjoyed this city and can't sing enough of its praises. In fact, other than the brutal winters, I'd consider moving there.

History

First, I tried to get to know Philly through its history. For me, this meant a visit to Independence Hall (a nominal fee to go in certain places but free to roam the grounds and other places). It gave me chills to walk (so to speak) in the footsteps of the founding fathers of the USA. George Washington, James Madison, Ben Franklin, Charles Pinckney (whose paintings I saw when I was getting to know Charleston), and so many more prominent figures in American history hung out there. And, these founders signed the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution there. As an attorney, I nerded out knowing that many legal protections in the US and copied by other countries had their roots in a document (i.e., the US Constitution) written, debated and signed in that area. 

things to do in fuengirola

Welcome to Fuengirola.

Fuengirola (or Fuengi, as referred to by many English speaking expats who live there) is about 50 minutes by local train from Malaga. It is on the famed Costa del Sol (Sun Coast). Back during the boom days, many British and Northern European retirees decided to move and live in Fuengi (think of it like Americans from the North moving to Florida during the Winter). After the recent global recession hit, many of the expats left and Spanish folks moved in to take over some of the vacated condominiums.

A Fuengirola street looking towards the sea.

Although the coastal streets mostly have plenty of expats milling about, one will see many local Spanish people by just walking a couple of blocks inland. Fuengirola is a nice, quiet town, and a perfect place to spend a few days relaxing and eating well. 

I hope you get the chance to visit this lovely town. If you do, these are my recommendations:

larchmont village - small town feel in the middle of LA

(Los Angeles, CA).  Larchmont Village is a delightful retail/dining area in Hancock Park that is located on Larchmont Boulevard and flanked on the north by Melrose Avenue and on the south by Third Avenue.  It’s a great place to have brunch and shop with friends.  You can find general visitor information here.  

I usually come here for the Sunday Farmer’s Market (every Sunday 9 am – 2 pm), casual brunches and shopping for unique gifts.  But the best thing about visiting this area is letting the day leisurely pass you by while you people watch.  Yes, there are often celebrity sightings (usually TV stars) but the real gem is seeing the locals hanging out here with their cute dogs.  People are always running into old friends or acquaintances and that genuine small town feel is rare in a city as large as Los Angeles.  (Also, I’m horrible at celebrity sightings.  I do have a friend who seems to have eyes in the back of his head – he can sniff out any celebrity and identify them correctly if they are within a ½ mile radius, even if they are walking behind him.  It’s quite a talent.)

Below are a few of my favorite places/things to do in the village:

things to do in malaga

Malaga.

About two and a half hours on the fast train from Madrid is the Andalucian city of Malaga. I enjoy visiting Malaga because not only does it have history, architecture and an eating scene like other popular Spanish cities, but it is also on Costa del Sol (Sun Coast). That means, it tends to be warmer in Malaga than other cities, and it has beaches.

These are my recommendations when visiting this fair city:

what to expect in hobbiton

A view of Hobbiton and the Party Tree from the Green Dragon Inn.

This post is an unapologetic nerd out moment. When I was a wee girl, I read J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit (it was a short book), and became immediately immersed in the goings on in Middle Earth. As a young lass, although I attempted to finish reading the inches thick Lord of the Rings trilogy by Mr. Tolkien, I must admit that I never got through them (I must have been distracted with a deep desire to play outside with friends). 

Several decades after I last cracked open a Tolkien book, Peter Jackson birthed The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. I absolutely adored all the movies so much that I watched every single movie -- in the movie theaters and the extended versions at home -- multiple times. But, this time, Mr. Tolkien's stories and the visual imagery on the screen made me hunger for more -- more stories, more Tolkien, more movies, more New Zealand.

So, during a trip to New Zealand as part of our mini round-the-world trip, I not only forced Mr. Sazy Rock to watch one of The Hobbit movies in New Zealand with me (I thought it added cinematic context), but I also insisted that we visit Matamata, a.k.a. Hobbiton, in the North Island.

Hobbiton.

There are a few things I learned about Hobbiton that you may find useful:

chilean patagonia for non-hikers

Torres del Paine National Park.

I'd like to say that I hiked all over Chilean Patagonia. But, I'd be lying. Although I had grand plans to hike the Torres (or Towers), see lots of glaciers and do parts of the famed W trek, I just ended up looking at the beautiful towers from afar with a nice glass of wine on hand.

Chile was the last country Mr. Sazy Rock and I visited during a three and a half month round the world trip. And, sadly, my body decided to shut down. The cold weather in Patagonia did not help my cause either. Hiking while sniffling and hacking up a storm was not ideal. Also, I decided that I did not want to catch pneumonia in light of the high winds and horrid weather forecasts on the trail. The video below illustrates the crazy wind during our visit.

So, what did I do instead?

things to do in granada, nicaragua

Nicaragua is not quite on the tourist trail yet but, in recent years, many publications (see here, here and here) have been touting the country as a great place for Americans to retire due to the lower cost of living. When I heard "lower cost of living," I immediately thought that the country would be great to travel cheaply. I was not disappointed. 

On one long weekend, Mr. Sazy Rock and I ventured to Granada, Nicaragua. I found this small colonial town quite pleasant. It did not have the same cobbled stones charm of Antigua (a colonial town in Guatemala), but, it certainly still had a lot to offer (and for a little less money).

If you visit Granada, these are my recommendations:

getting to know the usa: idaho falls, idaho

Idaho Falls.

I must admit that I only spent a mere 24 hours in this fair city while Mr. Sazy Rock and I embarked on a business roadtrip, which we hashtagged on the interwebs as #GiveUsABedICookYouDinner or #GiveUsABedIMakeYouDinner (where strangers offered us a bed and he cooked for them in return - yes, it's like Couchsurfing but the hosts were found via Twitter or Facebook and Mr. SR cooked at least a three-course meal for our hosts). Idaho Falls was a non-cooking stop and a way for us to rest between locations. I’d like to say I got to know Idaho Falls really well but I’d be lying. Although, the little I got to know of the town was very enjoyable, and I am keen to share what I learned with you all.

The Falls

Unsurprisingly, the town of Idaho Falls actually had waterfalls that were created as part of a diversion dam for a hydroelectric project in the Snake River. A paved walking path along the river had picturesque views of the falls and other points of interest, such as information about World War II prisoners in the area, the first Mormon church in Idaho, an island in the middle of the river, etc. 

The falls as part of a hydroelectric project.

The Snake River with the first Mormon temple in Idaho in the background.

Mr. Sazy Rock and I enjoyed our stroll along the path because it gave us the opportunity to not only see the sights but to also watch locals enjoy a lazy summer afternoon. Some of them even tried to beat the heat by showing off their acrobatic skills when swimming in the river.

The dog days of Summer in Idaho Falls.

“It Ain’t My First Rodeo”

getting to know the usa: greenville, south carolina

Courthouse Square in
downtown Greenville.

On my first visit to the Carolinas in the earlier part of Summer, I tagged along on my husband's business trip to Greenville. It was such an ordeal to get there, however. I had to fly in to Charlotte, North Carolina then drive about two hours to Greenville, South Carolina. 

On my way to Charlotte, while connecting through Washington, DC, United Airlines canceled my flight due to "weather." When I finally arrived in Charlotte - a day later and 16 hours after my original arrival time - I was convinced that Greenville would suck.  Well, I was wrong.  The town and the people were so lovely that I would like to think I made some pretty good friends.

Wikipedia states that Greenville in South Carolina has a population of just over 60,000.  Although it is a small city, it definitely had that small town feel.  Sure, the main street had big national brand stores and it appeared to have a robust performing arts scene.  But, when I visited, I met quite a few people who I then randomly met again on its Main Street.  Plus, the folks I met were so friendly -- I didn't get that feeling of distrust, distance and/or cynicism I often felt in other cities.  In fact, I stayed at a very comfortable and nice guesthouse that had an outdoor television on the deck that would have disappeared within 5 minutes of the setting sun in other cities.  When I met the proprietors of two Greenville restaurants - Larkin's (a fine dining steakhouse) and Grill Marks (a casual burger and milk shake joint) - they happily shared the amusing story of how the Grill Marks site used to be a bordello. Greenville was just that kind of place -- lots of friendly and honest people with plenty of amusing stories to tell if you engage them in conversation, a main street where one could find most anything, and a place with enough things to do to fill up a leisurely and stress-free weekend getaway.

So, if you want to get to know Greenville, and I really suggest you should, I recommend the following:

getting to know the usa: charleston, south carolina

Charleston in the Summer.

Getting to know Charleston, South Carolina has been a very educational experience.  After all, it was one of thirteen colonies to declare its independence from Great Britain, the first shots in the American Civil War were fired from an island near this fair city, and it was the largest market for slave traders.  There's also lots of pirate history, including a visit by the infamous Blackbeard.  So, this mini-guide includes my favorite sights where you can learn all sorts of things relating to American history.

Additionally (and perhaps, more importantly), in getting to know Charleston, I learned that Charleston has got some good eating! Hurrah!

Without, further ado, these are the things you need to know when visiting Charles Towne - whoops! I mean Charleston (see what I did there? I engaged in some colonial humour).

top 5 reasons to visit wellington, new zealand

Wellingtonian activity.

Most folks who visit New Zealand spend a lot of their time in the South Island -- and I don't blame them. The South Island is beautiful and full of fun activities. That being said, I hope I can make the case for why travelers should not skip the North Island, and particularly, Wellington.

1.  It's a pretty town. Just imagine yourself in a small but cosmopolitan town next to the water and with hills overlooking the city. Many art installations dot the boardwalk by the waterfront. From the boardwalk, you can see kayakers, joggers, and other folks out and about. When you go up the hill either via furnicular, car or your own two feet, you can visit the botanical garden with not only beautiful flora but also an awesome Henry Moore sculpture you can get up close and personal with. There aren't any tall skyscrapers (probably as high as 35 stories) but the building architectures range from your funky beehive to gothic to modern. The streets are ridiculously clean and the air crisp. Now, wasn't that a pretty town?

things to do in fes, morocco

The magnificent imperial city of Fes and surroundings are must-visit sites when planning a trip to Morocco. Sazy Rock and I spent four days in Fes to kick off our Moroccan adventure. Although we had two days of guided tours, the remainder of our time was spent getting lost in the medina's maze and taking in the sights, sounds, smell and taste of the medieval city that still pulses with an heartbeat of a begone time. Watching middle-aged men going about their daily business dressed in djellaba, long loose fitting outer role with attached pointy hood, or women in hijab (headscarf) or burqa (full body and face covering) going about their grocery shopping, let you know this is a place where locals still work and live their traditional way of life and not just another commercialized tourist spot where they dress traditionally for the benefit of tourists.

Day tour of Medina (el-Bali or Old Fes)

Old Fes is a medieval city with tall walls creating a labyrinth of narrow alleyways only wide enough for a donkey cart and occasional motorcycle.  Due to this fact, you can escape the noise and pollution of modern vehicles and better immerse yourself in the ancient way of life. Some highlights include:

• Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate) - the most famous of the gates that guard the medina and a very convenient location to be dropped off by taxi and for a representative from your dar or riad to come greet you. Exterior is blue for the color of Fes, and interior is green for the color of Islam.

• Souqs and craft guilds-  check out the spice, henna, brassmaker, shoemakers and carpenters souqs for fun shopping and wonderful picture taking opportunities.
• Medersa Bou Inania & Water Clock - a theological college and mosque, it is an excellent example of Merenid architecture with every surface decorated with colorful geometric zellij mosaic tilework, intricately carved plaster stucco and wood. It is one of few religious sites open to non-Muslims so don't miss out on the opportunity to explore this gem.
  
• Kairaouine Mosque - the second largest and perhaps the holiest in Morocco. It's attached university may be the world's oldest. It is not open to non-Muslims but its splendor may be peaked at from its open main gate and its distinct cluster of green tile rooftops can be picked out from any aerial view of Fes. 
  
• Tanneries - the most famous site in Fes. The pungent smell will tell you when you are close. Most leather shops will allow you rooftop access for a birds-eye view in exchange for a token fee or purchase of their wares. For a small fee (10MAD), the tanners will also allow you onto the factory grounds.

things to do in pula, croatia

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Croatia is beautiful.  That being said, Pula - which is in the northern part of the country in a region called Istria and very close to Italy - is not as pretty as other Croatian towns.  But, it is still worth a visit. I promise.

Arena in Pula.

View of Rovinj from the marina.

Due to its past as a part of the Venetian and Roman Empires, many of those influences remain in the architecture and the food (and you know, I'm going to talk about the food).  These are my top five things to do in Pula:

1.  See the sights.

Arena

          Arena.  Apparently, this is the sixth largest surviving Roman amphitheater in the world. Like the Colosseum in Rome, the Arena also has a subterranean area that houses a small exhibit.  We actually rented an apartment thisclose to the Arena and it was such a pretty sight whenever I looked out my window and saw the colors of the setting sun reflected on those old stones.

The triumphal arch.

          Triumphal Arch - Roman Gates - Gate of Hercules.  If you walk along the walls of the old town, you'll see these gates. For me the one that stood out the most was the Triumphal Arch, which led into the old town, because not only did it still have a lot of the details from when it was built but also because someone erected a sculpture of a sitting James Joyce, the author, looking at the entrance. Either way, walk along the walls and let us know what you discover. 

shopping (aka bargaining) in istanbul

(Istanbul, Turkey).  I was only able to spend about 2 days in Istanbul during a Mediterranean Cruise, but I absolutely loved it!  The food, the gorgeous colors, the sights, the shopping!  I definitely have to return and spend some quality time exploring this vibrant city.

Gorgeous display at the Grand Bazaar.

Today, I’m focusing on my experience shopping in Istanbul.  Most people will immediately think of the Grand Bazaar which is an impressively large market filled with arts and crafts, jewelry, carpets, textiles … anything your little heart could desire!  It is so huge and hectic that it can be a bit overwhelming.  Most people only have a couple of hours to spend here, so unless you have specific items you are hunting for, you may as well just go with the flow and enjoy (but note where you should exit, because you do not want to get lost in there).

getting to know the usa: kansas city

Ribs and Brisket at Oklahoma Joe's

Captain Obvious alert: the USA is huge.  While I've gotten to know a lot of American cities, I am ashamed to say that there are still plenty that I have not even visited. Recently, I've been on a mission to do something about it, and this "Getting to Know the USA" series is an effort to highlight the many cool and wonderful things to see, do and eat around the country.

Let's start off with Kansas City.

First, there are two Kansas Cities - one in Missouri (KCM) and another in Kansas (KCK). But, they are close to each other so if you want to visit all 50 states, it would be easy to tick off two states in one visit.

Second, the food, and especially the barbecue, rocks. Seriously. KCM has a storied barbecue history - every fall, it hosts the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, which is the world's largest barbecue festival!  Plus, it also hosts a Kosher Barbecue Festival.  So, it is unsurprising that the BBQ joints along the Kansas and Missouri border are delicious. These are my favorites:

summer picnic at millenium park

Cloud Gate (aka the "bean") at Millennium Park.

(Chicago, Illinois).  If you have the time between visiting the Navy Pier, the Art Institute of Chicago, and taking an architectural boat tour of Chicago - all worthwhile tourist attractions - try to have a leisurely picnic at Millennium Park, which is located in the Loop community area of Chicago.  Check out their events calendar when you visit because there's always something fun going on - art & design showcases, free concerts, etc.  Then pick up some food and have a picnic at the park with the locals (or other visitors).  It's a lovely way to spend an afternoon and just enjoy the city flowing around you.

When we went, we picked up a selection of tortas, guacamole and chips, and churros from Xoco (a Rick Bayless restaurant) and wine and cheese from Pastoral on our way towards the park.  The food at Xoco was wonderful (way better than Red O in Los Angeles which has consistently disappointed) and the selection of cheese and breads was truly impressive at Pastoral.  With our feast in hand, we lounged on the grassy lawn and listened to a range of hip hop and world music.  (Perhaps one day you will be lucky enough to see sazy rock perform her world music dance - it's quite a sight.)

Sometimes it's better not to be rushing from one tourist attraction to the next so you can literally stop to smell the roses (or in this case, delicious churros).